Liverpool FC co-owner George Gillett believes Rafa Benitez is one of the top five managers in the world and that this season’s disappointing results are just a "blip".

The club have endured a difficult campaign so far and have fallen well off the pace in the Barclays Premier League, compounded by early exits from the Champions League and FA Cup.

Liverpool FC manager Benitez has been unmoved in his belief that he will turn things around and now he has received the backing of Gillett.

That is significant as Gillett has always been seen as less enthusiastic in his support for the Spaniard than fellow co-owner Tom Hicks, who has been behind Benitez from the moment the two Americans’ relationship began to become strained.

"We believe if you were to put a list together of the top five coaches, managers in the world, he would definitely be on that list for us," said Gillett, who was united in his agreement with Hicks to give Benitez an improved five-year contract towards the end of last season.

"And we think he’s been tossed a curve ball by circumstance, injuries and so forth.

"I think that’s been a real challenge to the coach. He’s had to really make some innovations and play some players out of position and so forth.

"And notwithstanding that, they’ve generally played with a lot of passion. I really believes it’s a blip."